Using LibQUAL+® Survey Results to Document the Adequacy of Services to Distance Learning Students for an Accreditation Review

Abstract

Accreditation is critical to the viability of institutions of higher education. Each of the six regional groups that accredit two-and four-year institutions has standards specifically addressing online or distance learning. In general, these standards require institutions to show that distance learners have adequate access to appropriate library resources and to library instruction, and that library resources and services are regularly and systematically evaluated. The LibQUAL+ R survey developed by the Association of Research Libraries is one tool academic libraries can use to demonstrate compliance with accreditation standards relating to distance learning. A methodology for using LibQUAL+ R results to document compliance in this area is described and applied.Academic librarians at institutions with large distance learning (DL) student populations work daily to ensure that DL students receive adequate and appropriate services and resources that are comparable to those provided to on-campus students. Librarians' own service ethos and the ACRL Standards for Distance Learning Library Services demand this. 1 So do standards set by the bodies that accredit colleges and universities. This article will discuss the role of accrediting bodies, representative accreditation standards relating to the provision of library services to distance learners, and how LibQUAL+ R survey results can be used to help document compliance with accreditation

LibQUAL Revisited: Further Analysis of Qualitative and Quantitative Survey Results at the University of Mississippi

“…Lewis (2011) used LibQUAL to assess distance learning in compliance with accreditation standards. While the LibQUAL survey is one of a few proven instruments to effectively gather and interpret user feedback, it is important for research libraries to continuously monitor user behaviors and perceptions in order to measure value to the institution.…”

How far are the public university libraries in Bangladesh meeting students' expectations? – An analysis of service quality through LibQUAL+ core items

“…According to Garthwait and Richardson (2008), LibQUAL+ protocol can be used to measure library service quality perceptions both in individual libraries and in library consortia. Lewis (2011) used LibQUAL+ for the assessment of distance learning in compliance with accreditation standards. The results of these studies confirm the applicability of LibQUAL tool in a diverse environment.…”